Football: Defeats tarnish Jewell's gems

THE BRADFORD City manager, Paul Jewell, yesterday quashed rumours of a crisis at Valley Parade following the early failure of his big-money transfers.

Jewell has brought in a host of new signings over the past few months, culminating in the pounds 1.3m club record signing of striker Isiah Rankin from Arsenal's reserve ranks last week. But after defeat in their opening two First Division matches, Bradford are one place off the bottom, while they were embarrassingly held 1-1 at home by Lincoln City in the first leg of their first-round Worthington Cup tie.

However, Jewell maintains that his only concern surrounds the injury crisis that leaves him without seven first-team players for tonight's return leg at Sincil Bank. "I am more than confident that things will come right," Jewell said. "There's certainly no crisis here and it's ridiculous to suggest such a thing.

"Just because we've spent a lot of money, it doesn't guarantee anything. We will keep plugging away and people must realise players need time to settle. But I'm confident we can overcome Lincoln. If we create the number of chances like we did at Watford on Saturday, then I'm sure we'll progress."

Wolves face potential humiliation at Molineux as they must overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Third Division Barnet despite two victories so far in the League. Their manager, Mark McGhee, criticised his side for a "poor performance" and accused them of "complacency".